About the Program

Group photo of summer 2017 mechanical engineering Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) scholars in front of Spencer Lab. – (Evan Krape / University of Delaware)

Overview

The Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research (CBER) at the University of Delaware offers a comprehensive Research Experience for Undergraduates who “Dare to BE FIRST” which will establish Biomechanical Engineering Foundations in Impactful Research, Science and Technology (BE FIRST).  We specifically aim to improve the quantitative analysis capabilities of undergraduate students who have interests in biomedical research.  The activities designed to meet this objective include:

• 20 total undergraduate students (10 from NSF REU) involved in 10 weeks of summer research
• hands-on experience in a biomechanical laboratory
• emphasis on quantitative skills, i.e., theory, modeling and simulation, in biomedical research
• workshops dedicated to fundamental laboratory skills, effective mentor relationships, safety,
  human subjects training, applying to graduate school, and available university resources
• journal club focused on quantitative skills in osteoarthritis research
• research lab and clinical site visits to broaden the scope of learning
• social events to promote communication among interdisciplinary students and mentors
• research symposium where students synthesize results for diverse audience
• systematically administered surveys and professional evaluations of program outcomes

The REU site will leverage CBER’s strengths in cutting edge osteoarthritis research in order to expose the students to the power of quantitative skills in solving biomedical problems from bench to bedside.  Beyond the intellectual merit of the scientific projects, we will evaluate student productivity and program effectiveness with systematically administered surveys and professional techniques.  We anticipate broader impact by attracting a group of talented and diverse young scientists who will become prepared in both biomedical and quantitative technologies for both graduate programs and the biomedical industry.